The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the leadership of Secretary Sean P. Duffy, announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is withdrawing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from leading the Penn Station Reconstruction project in New York City. Instead, Amtrak, supported by USDOT, will take charge of this critical infrastructure initiative. This decision is expected to save taxpayers approximately $120 million while ensuring a safe, modern, and efficient transit hub.\n\nThe Trump Administration determined that USDOT and Amtrak can deliver a world-class Penn Station, given Amtrak\’s ownership of the station, which serves over 10 million riders annually. By prioritizing fiscal responsibility and private sector expertise, the new strategy aims to transform New York Penn Station into a state-of-the-art facility while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.\n\nThe FRA is also revising the federal grant allocation to Amtrak for project development, allowing Amtrak to pursue a master developer to examine both reconstruction and potential expansion of the station. This approach minimizes financial risk to taxpayers and delivers results faster than traditional government-led projects.\n— new from Department of Transportation (.gov)